MAAP Newsletter

Empower.

Welcome back, educators! As the school year begins, we are reminded just how vital your voices, ideas, and dedication are to the strength of the Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs. MAAP is only as strong as its members—and we need you to help shape our work, share your expertise, and make our organization even better.

This fall, don’t miss MAAP 101—our professional development event on October 10 at Terra Nova School. Whether you’re new to alternative education or a long-time leader, MAAP 101 is a great opportunity to deepen your knowledge, connect with peers, and gain tools you can put into practice right away.

We’re also excited for the MAAP STARS Fall Leadership Conference—a chance for students to strengthen their leadership skills, connect with peers from across the state, and prepare for success in school, career, and life. This event is one of the highlights of our student programming, and we encourage you to bring your student leaders to experience it.

And mark your calendars now: MAAP’s Annual Conference will be held in Duluth, February 4–6, 2025, with the theme “Rooted in Purpose, Reaching for Possibility.” We’re thrilled to welcome keynote speakers Josh Shipp and Harvie Herrington, who will inspire, challenge, and equip us with fresh perspectives to bring back to our programs. It’s three days of inspiration, learning, and connection with colleagues from across the state.

Finally, we encourage you to connect with your local legislators and share the incredible impact alternative education has on Minnesota students. Your stories and advocacy are powerful tools in ensuring our programs continue to thrive.

Here’s to a strong and inspiring start to the year—together, we make MAAP stronger.

Laura Freer

We can't wait to see you at this year's conference in Duluth, February 4 – 6, 2026!

https://web.cvent.com/event/6fa6fe88-4c65-49e4-9254-ab17c6c51410/summary

The Minnesota Legislature is in the midst of several special elections. On Tuesday, the primary was held to fill Melissa Hortman's legislative seat (House District 34B). Former Brooklyn Park City Councilmember Xp Lee won the DFL primary. Lee previously garnered the local DFL endorsement and defeated current Brooklyn Park City Councilmember Christian Eriksen and Hennepin County prosecutor Erickson Saye in the primary, capturing almost 60 percent of the vote. He will face off against Ruth Bittner, the only Republican to file, who is a small business owner.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate District 47 DFL held its endorsing convention for its candidate to fill the seat of former Senator Nicole Mitchell. The two House members representing the district faced off against each other, and Representative Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger (DFL-Woodbury) won endorsement on the first ballot with 69 percent of the vote over Representative Ethan Cha (DFL-Woodbury). The primary winner will face Dwight Dorau (Republican) on the general special election on November 4, 2025. The district is considered to be a safe DFL seat.

Last week, the Wright County Republican Party endorsed Michael Holmstrom in the race to replace the late Senator Bruce Anderson. Holmstrom, a small business owner from Buffalo, beat out several other candidates on the third ballot. Republicans in the district will have a primary on August 26, 2025, where Holmstrom will face off against Rachel Davis and Bradley Kurtz. The August Republican primary winner will almost certainly win the November 4, 2025, general special election as this is a safe Republican district. They will face Louis McNutt, the DFL candidate.

Outside of this special election action, the Legislature is fairly quiet, with lawmakers decompressing from session and taking summer vacation.

MAAP STARS is excited to kick off the 2025/26 school year! A big thank you to all that contacted your state legislators to advocate for funding for MAAP STARS! Your voices were heard!! MAAP STARS was funded $55,000 this year and next year for a total of $110,000!!

The funding goal with additional funding is to increase the opportunities for students enrolled in alternative education schools to experience what MAAP STARS offers: SUCCESS, TEAMWORK, ACHIEVEMENT, TEAMWORK, and SELF-ESTEEM. For MAAP STARS member schools, the financial support will reduce the cost to participate in all of the three state-wide STARS events and increase opportunities for participation by hosting more local regional events. The following are some of the financial supports for MAAP STARS member schools for the 2025/26 school year.

• Mileage credit from your school to any of the three MAAP STARS state-wide event sites at the IRS .70/mile rate.

• Fall Conference one advisor credit. We are proposing;

• Spring Conference one advisor and two student registration credits;

• STARS Officers supported mileage and sub cost reimbursement for officer training(Nov/Jan).

• $500 credit toward any MAAP STARS event for hosting a regional event.

If you do not have a MAAP STARS Chapter at your school, NOW is the BEST time to start one!!. Please do not hesitate to contact Patti Haasch or Kristin Tuel, MAAP STARS Co-Chairs. We are available to support you and answer your questions! There are curriculum resources to start a chapter. You do not have to “reinvent the wheel”! MAAP STARS is a positive and worthwhile experience for students and staff. It promotes a positive school climate and acknowledgment of the alternative education community in Minnesota. If there are any barriers to starting a MAAP STARS Chapter in your school, please contact us.

Contact: Patti Haasch at maapstarschair@gmail.com, Kristin Tuel at tuelfam3@gmail.com or call/text at 218-731-7418.

MAAP STARS Fall Leadership Conference!

October 9-10, 2025

We are excited for the Fall Leadership Conference being held at Lake Beauty Camp on October 9-10, 2025. Registration is open NOW! You can bring up to 5 leaders from your school to participate.

The conference will begin at 1:00pm on Thursday, October 9, with Joe Beckman as the keynote speaker. Optional preconference activities will be from 9:00am - 12:30pm, on Thursday, October 9. Schools are welcome to come Wednesday night, October 8, at no additional cost. Lunch will be available for those schools that participate in the pre-conference activities.

New breakout sessions will be offered that include your school’s leadership team participating in one low ropes element. Two sessions will be led by the STARS Officers. Derek Greenfield will also be back doing breakout sessions on Friday.

This is going to be a dynamic time for your MAAP STARS Chapter! Cost is $75 per participant with no cost for one advisor!

Patti Haasch, MAAP STARS Co-Chair Kristin Tuel, MAAP STARS Co-Chair

maapstarschair@gmail.com tuelfam3@gmail.com

https://web.cvent.com/event/6fa6fe88-4c65-49e4-9254-ab17c6c51410/summary

Professional Development (PD) Survey

As a part of a shared effort to target priority needs for alternative leaders and schools, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is partnering with Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs (MAAP) and Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) to collaborate and coordinate training offerings within each of the organization’s areas of specialty. Please take a moment to provide your input on what you’d like to see.

1. Can you tell us about your journey in alternative education and what led you to this path?

I was first introduced to alternative education back in 2003 when I was looking for a teaching job. I landed a three-month gig at MERC Alternative in Minneapolis, covering another teacher's maternity leave. While working at MERC I learned that I could connect with students who'd struggled in other programs and collaborate with colleagues who shared a passion for helping those students be successful.

2. How did your journey shape your purpose as an educator?

I spent a few years teaching in mainstream programs, both in Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton and Anoka-Hennepin. While I enjoyed those programs, too, I found that I felt more satisfaction in the alternative setting.

3. What unique contributions do you believe you have made to the alternative education community?

Longevity? That's not unique, since I've had the pleasure of knowing many educators who spent their careers in this business. This will be my twentieth year in alternative ed, and through that time I've been able to share ideas and energy

4. How do you approach building relationships with students in alternative education settings?

I think it's really important for students to feel seen. To that end, I work to learn their names, and how to say and spell them correctly. Then I try to learn about their interests, and hopefully give them a chance to explore those interests through our classwork.

5. What challenges did you face in alternative education, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge has probably been figuring out how to engage students who've become disenfranchised from the education system. Some of them have systematic educational trauma, and it takes time and effort to overcome that barrier.

6. Can you share a memorable success story from your experience in alternative education?

At PYC I've had the opportunity to take students to Wilderness Canoe Base on the edge of the Boundary Waters. That trip pushes students out of their comfort zones, but afterward we have a shared experience of taking risks and working through challenges together. I can push those students more in the classroom afterward, too.

Email: maapmnpresident@gmail.com

Website: https://www.maapmn.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maapstarsofficial/